Joliet IL vs Rochester MN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 26,509 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 38.7 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 7.1% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 17.0% | 3.6% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 3.9% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $344,633 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1992 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 28.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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